Can I find this person and how much should I pay her/him?

[Anonymous]

Hi!

I am looking for someone to come to my house every afternoon from 4-6 to play with my almost 5 year old.

I would be in the house working and other siblings will be either doing homework (supervised by me) or activities out of the house. The person would have to play board games, soccer, draw, read or whatever activity they want to do as long as it’s not watching tv.

I would be happy with a highschool student or college student that is energetic and able to entertain an easily bored 4 year old. Perhaps someone who has experience baby sitting or with younger siblings.

Can I find this person? Where? How much should I offer to pay them?

Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

This is called a mothers helper and usually you find them by posting on local parenting Facebook groups. You can also check with local daycares and neighbors. Pay is 15/20 per hour.

[Anonymous]

You should aim younger - even a 7th grader could do this. This is something they do BEFORE they're allowed to babysit. You don't need someone who has any experience at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should aim younger - even a 7th grader could do this. This is something they do BEFORE they're allowed to babysit. You don't need someone who has any experience at all.

+1. There are lots of young girls that do this. 6th/7th grade is a good age range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should aim younger - even a 7th grader could do this. This is something they do BEFORE they're allowed to babysit. You don't need someone who has any experience at all.

+1. There are lots of young girls that do this. 6th/7th grade is a good age range.

Thank you! This is super helpful! My eldest is in 4th grade and she could potentially do this, but she has homework and activities and an 8:30 bedtime. I can see someone 2-3 years older able to do this.

[Anonymous]

Would you consider a former SAHM, now almost empty-nester/mom of 3?

[Anonymous]

Any service businesses nearby your home? The service workers may need extra few hours before heading home.

[Anonymous]

I'd be looking for a 16-18 year old and I'd assume I'd pay her $20/hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd be looking for a 16-18 year old and I'd assume I'd pay her $20/hour.

That's silly. The parent is HOME. I'd look for a 12-14 yr old and pay $10 an hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd be looking for a 16-18-year-old, and I'd assume I'd pay her $20/hour.

That's silly. The parent is HOME. I'd look for a 12-14 yr old and pay $10 an hour.

I'd feel awkward about that arrangement because my own 12-14-year-old has homework and sports after school, and I feel that age range is too young for a child to have regular employment responsibilities. I imagine other families see this differently and would welcome the opportunity for their child to have a job and learn responsibility in a safe and controlled environment. Still, because I wouldn't want that for my own child, it would be hard for me to ask that of someone else's child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd be looking for a 16-18 year old and I'd assume I'd pay her $20/hour.

No 16-18 year old would take that job. The parent is home. You *may* get a middle school kid but highly likely you can find someone every day. MS kids have activities and homework as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd be looking for a 16-18 year old and I'd assume I'd pay her $20/hour.

No 16-18 year old would take that job. The parent is home. You *may* get a middle school kid but highly likely you can find someone every day. MS kids have activities and homework as well.

OP here. Thank you. Why would an highschool student not want to do this? I would be in my office and don’t want (mostly not able) to intervene or help with my son. Ideally, they would not even see me. What if I paid $25?

[Anonymous]

I don't know any school aged kids that don't have after school activities. So that's out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd be looking for a 16-18 year old and I'd assume I'd pay her $20/hour.

No 16-18 year old would take that job. The parent is home. You *may* get a middle school kid but highly likely you can find someone every day. MS kids have activities and homework as well.

OP here. Thank you. Why would an highschool student not want to do this? I would be in my office and don’t want (mostly not able) to intervene or help with my son. Ideally, they would not even see me. What if I paid $25?

+1. Good luck. I don't know any student who has the time or desire to be doing this for two hours after school. That is prime time for activities and homework.

[Anonymous]

You might be able to find a couple of HS students to do this- maybe a pair of friends? One to do M & W, another to do T &TH and they switch off Fridays? They can be each other's "subs" when the other one doesn't work out?